SATURDAY, 6/18 -> After years in the making, not only is hip hop supergroup The Lessondary finally dropping an album (Ahead Of Schedule, coming on 6/24), but they’re coming to Denver!!! Donwill & Von Pea (aka Tanya Morgan), Che Grand, Elucid and Rob Cave (formerly known as Spec Boogie) are invading The Walnut Room for what should be a great mix of their solo work, collabs from over the years and unreleased joints from the upcoming album. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll be joined by rising Denver phenoms Russell Grande & Delasean, winner of the 2014 Solution Beat Battle Rhyme Progression, longtime Solution favorite DJ Dozen and myself for what promises to be a stacked bill. Things kick off at 9pm, IG @KnowerOfTheLedge will be on photo duty, we’ve got complimentary limited edition Solution patches for the first 25 people and The Walnut Room serves food late. Should be a RIDICULOUS night, get your $8 pre-sale tickets HERE!

Before the show, get more familiar with The Lessondary, on our new mixtape collab, Never 2ndary. The crew consists of Tanya Morgan (Donwill & Von Pea), Ilyas, Che Grand, Elucid, Jermiside, Brickbeats, Aeon & Rob Cave fka Spec Boogie and is one of the deepest out. Maybe you’ve caught them on each other’s projects over the years or maybe you’ve seen us post something about the crew over the years, but right now, sit back and get familiar with The Lessondary crew before they drop their long-awaited Ahead Of Schedule album on 6/24/16 via HipNott Records.

Time flies. Last year’s SX704 Solution Showcase at La Barbecue seems like just yesterday and that still seems awesomely surreal (from DJing for the Pharcyce to the crazy dope lineup to the unbelievably great food), so when the opportunity to throw a whole day’s worth of events came up this year, it was no-brainer. And so me and some friends (primarily France, DJ Trackstar & Dayta), set out to program twelve hours worth of Saturday fun at the biggest music festival in the country, bringing a mix of both Goodness & The Solution type flavor to the acclaimed BBQ spot. When everything was said and done on the morning of 3/15, the lineup was stacked with ridiculously talented MCs, DJs, singers and producers from all over the country and looked like this:

Extra stacked lineup, busiest day of SXSW and we were greeted by rain and fog on the morning of the event; not ideal at all. Regardless, we trudged through, set up tents over the turntables and stage and not too long after things got going, with the spot packing out quickly as Austin Goodness started with sounds from some of the best DJs in the country. From there, the weather cleared up, things somehow ran (mostly) according to schedule, despite a short break for a blown mixing board (which somehow got replaced in an under an hour, I credit good musical karma) and when the event wrapped up shortly after midnight, well over 30 top notch acts from NY to LA to Saint Louis to Denver and more had performed for hundreds of people.

Over the course of the day, I met a ton of ton of new people and the main thing they said was that the event had one of the purest, best vibes they saw all week and that the day carried on the classic SXSW tradition of independent artists and musical discovery (I was even put on to some new favorites at my own event…LOL). To me and everybody involved that’s what it’s all about and we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out, especially when the overwhelming sentiment of SXSW 2014 is that it’s become too commercialized for its own good. With that said, see what the artists involved had to say about the event and check out pics of the day below (as well as even more pics here):

“The Austin Goodness party had the best vibes all week. Oh, and the best BBQ!” – DJ Sober (Dallas / Black Milk’s DJ)

“Epic…Inspiring…Great feeling to be around so many great DJs Goodness, grooving, and [I] loved the crowd’s reception of us” – DJ Dozen (Denver)

“Goodness, the best way I could spend digesting the best food in Austin.” DJ Expo (Los Angeles)

“Amazing group of musicians playing records in the rain is the best way to start off SXSW at the Austin Goodness…Don’t forget the coleslaw!” – DJ Clockwork (Los Angeles / Mac Miller’s DJ)

“It was really nice to walk up to a fully relaxed situation with all of the craziness I had been experiencing before that day at SXSW. Turning left instead of turning up is just what I needed after playing intense party set one after another. Vibe at The [Austin] Goodness was on point and very welcoming. 5 stars.” – DJ A-Minor (Charlotte, NC)

“The show was dope. Good food and good performances. I got to see folks I never heard of killing it.” – YC The Cynic (New York)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase with DJ Low Key is good people, good music and good food = a great time” – Exile (Los Angeles)

“I had a ball rocking at The SX Solution Showcase with my Dirty Science brethren. The food and the talent on the bill were top notch!! I’m already looking forward to next year’s bill! – Johaz of Dag Savage (Los Angeles)

“Between Goodness & The SX Solution, there was only one place you needed to be on Saturday at SXSW, La Barbecue. Great vibes, fantastic music and amazing food.” – Donwill of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“Goodness & The SX Solution Showcase were like a marathon of hot shit. The original purpose of SXSW, at its best, in one location.” – Von Pea of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“”SXSW is always dope cuz it’s like Mardi Gras in Austin a whole week. Mobbin’ all over the city running into other artists & fans from all over the country, rocking for new fans. The SX Solution Showcase was especially dope cuz everybody who performed not only killed it, but showed love to everybody else who rocked.” – Ness of Weekend Money (New York)

“I was honored to be there. My city was turned. God Bless you [DJ Low Key] for giving me a shot!! We just wanted to show and prove.” – Tef Poe (St. Louis)

“The event was the highlight of the week as far as shows are concerned, we had the opportunity to perform at four shows during SXSW and the La Barbecue show was the best one; most responsive crowd, best sound system, best food lol I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as well as all of the other acts I witnessed while I was out there. Also, much appreciation to DJ Low Key for showing STL love, it was great to see so many of my homies whom I feel are the best representatives of what dope music from STL sounds like, all on one bill, all down in SXSW, it was just a good feeling, and I appreciate that.” – Nick Menn (St. Louis)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase was my most important experience this year. It was a grand opportunity to perform new music and connect with fans and friends alike. Thanks for having me Low Key.” – Theophilus Martins (Los Angeles)

“The SX Solution Showcase was an unbelievable experience! The opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of new faces froma cross the U.S. for the time, in addition to Statik Selektah, Dee Woods (of Danity Kane fame) and Tanya Morgan was beyond awesome and very motivational.” – Slangston Hughes (New Orleans)

“I got put on to a lot of acts I’d never heard of and a lot of people got put on to me. I heard a lot of people complaining about how SWSX is so corporate now, but the big, overhyped shows were easy to ignore. I spent most of my time at smaller showcases like The Solution jawn. The food at La Barbecue was so good I couldn’t eat any meat for a week after I left Austin and now almost a month later I’ve just begun eating beef again. I knew I wouldn’t find anything comparable in NY.” – Spec Boogie (New York)

“Hyped up parties and sold out shows and The SX Solution Showcase was one of the biggest highlights of my SXSW. Not only was there good food at SX Solution Showcase, but it got so hype later that night the almost broke some tables. Low Key put on one of the most unique events I visited in Austin and I got to see some pretty amazing ish! Here’s to The SX Solution Showcase!” – CRL CRRLL (Denver)

“The SX Solution Showcase was great opportunity for us to network, everybody was there!” – Travii of Bodega Brovas (Dallas)

“One of my favorite memories from this year’s SXSW was rocking at The Solution Showcase at La Barbecue. Got to meet a lot of great people and the food was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Huge shout out DJ Low Key for making it happen.” – Catch Lungs (Denver)

“The [SX] Solution Showcase at La Barbecue was amazing. I had the opportunity to party with people that I’ve never met. I knew that they would dig me because they dig Low Key. The pulled pork sand which was off the chain too! ” – Turner Jackson (Denver)

“Family Affair’s experience with DJ Low Key at SXSW was everything that you could imagine as a upcoming artist. We were treated with the utmost respect even when our personal DJ was under the weather for show time. DJ Low Key without any hesitation assisted F.A with our show. The beer was unlimited it seemed like and the food was phenomenal! What I noticed different is that after every performance there was somebody ready to give them a hot plate of bbq as they exited the stage. We had our crew with us and we enjoyed ourselves so much we just stayed at the event almost til closing. As a band member we always pride ourselves on how the venues cater to our product and I can say this was one of the most humbling events with so much talent on one roster. Family Affair is looking forward to next years event without a doubt.” – Repp of Family Affair (St. Louis)

WEDNESDAY, 6/26 -> The Solution Showcase is back at Beauty Bar Denver with another ridiculous lineup of talent from Denver all the way to Brooklynati. For June’s Solution Showcase #15 we’re featuring Solution favorites and friends of the party, Donwill & Von Pea aka Tanya Morgan (Brooklyn / Lessondary), singer/musician CRL CRRLL, producer DJ Matt Cassidy and Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme. Tanya Morgan will be rocking some brand new joints off their highly anticipated Rubber Souls album with producer 6th Sense and based on everything we’ve hear dso far, Denver is in for a treat. Carl Carrell will also be performing material from his new CRL CRRLL projects while featured producer DJ Matt Cassidy will be rocking a mix of new and old bangers for your listening pleasure. Things kick off at 9 and we’ve got complimentary Red Bull Editions (their 3 new flavors) for the first 50 people who come out. This one has all the makings of a classic, get your $8 pre-sale tickets at Family Affair downtown, at The Solution or Goodness or online next week. 608 East 13th Ave / $10 at the door / 21+ / 9pm.

UPDATE: Blu, TiRon & Ayomari are canceling /postponing their tour and we’re disappointed to say that because of that they will not be performing at The Solution Showcase #14. With that said, we’re excited to announce THE LEGENDARY DJ RHETTMATIC of the WORLD FAMOUS BEAT JUNKIES will be taking their place as our out of town special guest instead. Rhettmatic is a legend in the LA scene, having been a fixture of their nightlife circuit, working with artists like Cypress Hill, The Visionaries & Buff1 while winning quite a few DJ battle titles as well. Expect him to smash the turntables like only a legend can.

This month’s featured Denver act is recently formed CO supergroup Fly4Wird (aka Babah Fly, DJ Fast 4Ward & Mike Wird) and our featured producer is 2013 Solution Beat Battle winner Spyda T.E.K., who blew a lot of Denver heads away en route to winning the 2013 title. Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme as well as Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen will be holding down the turntables as well and our friends at Red Bull are hooking up the first 50 people through the door with complimentary new Red Bull Editions. $8 pre-sales at the weekly Solution via DJ Low Key or Lazy Eyez or at any Family Affair / $10 at the door / 21+.

FRIDAY, 2/22 -> It’s that time again, The Solution Showcase is back for another month with more of the best in national and Colorado-bred talent. Things have been great with the monthly showcase, but we’re about to make them even better. Instead of $8 at the door and $5 pre-sales, once a month we’ll be incorporating the monthly Solution Showcase into the new weekly Solution at the Meadowlark and keeping the price the same whenever possible. That means NO COVER until 11pm and only $5 afterwards most of the time, even with stacked lineups of national and CO talent. We figured the consistency would be good and if you tell a few friends about the lower price and showcases, then everybody wins.

With that said, let’s talk lineup. For this month’s Solution Showcase #13, we’ve got an all-time Solution favorite and good friend of the party, Brooklynati’s own Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan), making his solo Denver debut, complete with fresh new material and classics in tow. Von’s been out to The Solution as much as anyone over the years, but always performing with Donwill (and sometimes Ilyas) as Tanya Morgan. This time he’s gonna be out here performing tracks from Pea’s Gotta Have It, premiering new joints from his upcoming Duly Noted EP with Aeon (set to drop next month, but if you e-mail DulyNoted@DenverSolution.com we’ll send you the exclusive Solution preview) and more. He’ll be joined by Denver favorites Diamond Boiz (aka Dyalekt, Zome & Zé), Fresh Breath Committee’s Paul Junior and The Solution’s own DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez on the turntables in another top notch bill. 21+/Free until 11/$5 after/2701 Larimer St.

Even if you’re not familiar with the name Yonas Michael or The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory, his recent project with mixtape monster Mick Boogie, you should know Y-O his work in critically acclaimed (and former XXL Freshmen feature) group, U-N-I, including being one of the hosts of our mixtape, The Solution Tape #1, a few years back. Featured Denver act Team Latchkey has two producers who’s names should ring a bell, as both DealzMakesBeats & J Gunna aka Black Jordan were featured at the party last year. They’ll be joined by the rest of the crew (Morning After, Big Keim, B Smith & DJ Hobo) in the six man group’s official Solution Showcase debut. Yorrissey, producer for recently signed Denver heavyweights BLK HRTS and award-winning Pirate Signal, will be rocking beats as our featured producer for this month. DJ Low Key and Denver favorite B-Money will be holding down things on the turntables and making sure things are just as much a party as a rap show and that should round out another top notch lineup for your listening, dancing and drink pleasure. 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.